Asia is the largest global market for private security services in 2020. The increasing privatization of security in South Asia is however not very well-researched, and there has been limited attention for the regulatory and governance frameworks challenges.

This Thematic Brief gives an overview of the recent history and current layout of the private security industry across South Asia, including by looking at existing legal and regulatory frameworks.

It also analyzes some of the existing and emerging governance challenges, including recommendations to help ensure the accountability, professionality, and efficiency of private security services.   

Private security personnel outnumber police personnel by significant margins in Bangladesh and Nepal, and by an especially strong margin in India.